Nor'West News: April 30, 2019

8 Tuesday April 30 2019
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
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NOR’WEST NEWS
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Fire rages, homes at risk
Cobham pupils sing for
mosque attack victims
• By Jess Gibson
A SONG featuring 80 Cobham
Intermediate pupils has raised
about $900 for individuals and
families affected by the March 15
terror attack.
Release Our Love was written
by well-known performer Ali
Harper after she had a “calling”
to write a song to express her love
for the victims, survivors and
their families.
Harper said she wanted to
perform the song with a school
choir, and decided to reach
out to choral teacher Philippa
Chilvers to see if the Cobham
Intermediate School choir could
come on board.
Miss Chilvers said the
experience of recording in a
studio and being able to listen
to the song was “really special”
for the pupils. “They were really
excited. They might not realise
until later how much of a big
thing it was to be a part of it,”
said Miss Chilvers.
The proceeds from each
download of the song go to
Victim Support’s Givealittle
page. Harper hopes the song will
teach young people about uniting
and making a change.
“We have to change where
we are heading in this world.
The words that I wrote really
resonated for me for the future of
our children.”
“The deputy head boy Josh
Ratulomai performed a Te Reo
solo, which was so beautiful,”
said Harper.
“It has been quite wonderful
because lots of schools around
New Zealand have been
contacting me for the music so
that it can become part of their
school assembly song.”
GOOD
CAUSE: Ali
Harper (left),
Cobham
Intermediate
deputy head
boy Josh
Ratulomai
and backing
vocalist
Frankie
Leota in the
recording
studio.
Harper and the pupils
performed the song at The Court
Theatre as part of its Open House
Festival and will perform again
at the Kia Kaha Concert at the
Aurora Centre in Burnside on
Saturday.
The proceeds raised at the
concert will go into community
projects.
•To book tickets, go to
https://bit.ly/2GdSdK1.
•Release Our Love can
be downloaded at www.
bandcamp.com
Burnside’s India Jane, 7, showed off her dancing skills
during a YMCA school holiday programme.
PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER
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